Factors contributing to the purchase of Over The Counter (OTC) drugs in Bangladesh: An Empirical study

摘要

In Bangladesh the tendency of the mass people to buy medicines without proper prescription is increasing day by day. The drugs which can be collected without the prescription are termed as the Over the Counter (OTC) drugs. This study is endeavored to identify the factors that influence the purchase of any OTC drugs. The primary factors identified are the past experience with the drugs, corporate image of the pharmaceutical company, brand identity of the drug, insignificant side effect, and prior assumption about the drug to be used for the ailment. Undoubtedly this is not a healthy practice to adopt. This type of tendency can bring hazardous outcome even in short run and long run for the individual consumer. Govt. has drawn a demarcation line between the prescribed and unprescribed drugs but the line has almost got blurred. Awareness is required to reduce the tenacity of transacting such type of products. Introduction As human being we have the fundamental right to have access to health services. While viewing the health related issues we hardly can be oblivious about any medicine or drug. Now a days around the world mass people collect medicines with or without the prescription of the physicians. There are some medicines that may be sold without a prescription, in contrast to prescription drugs—these drugs are termed as Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are non-prescription drugs sold in convenience stores, grocery stores and health shops. They range from pain relievers, cough and cold remedies to sleeping aids, weight reducing aids, and vitamin supplements. The OTC drugs are characterized as less risk taking, less dynamic, non-maintenance therapeutic pharmaceutical drugs. The efficacy and potency of these drugs have been well established. OTC drugs play an increasingly vital role in health care system. Some medicines considered safe in general terms may be available in general stores, drug stores, supermarkets etc. The rules for collecting those OTC drugs vary considerably from country to country. For example, in the United States, the manufacture and sale of OTC substances is regulated by the FDA. Generally FDA controls the operational and marketing activity of the manufacturers so that the customers ultimately get the safe and secured medicines. As a general rule, over-the-counter drugs have to be primarily used to treat a condition that does not require the direct supervision of a doctor and must be proven to be reasonably safe and well-tolerated. OTC drugs are usually also required to have little or no abuse potential, although in some areas drugs such as codeine are available OTC (usually in strictly limited formulations or requiring paperwork or identification to be submitted during purchase). Over time, drugs that prove themselves safe and appropriate for self-medication may be switched from prescription to OTC. An example of this is Diphenhydramine (Benadryl?) which once required a prescription but now is available OTC nearly everywhere in the USA. Diphenhydramine is a deliriant; nevertheless, most recreational drug users find its effects uncomfortable rather than exciting. In our country, according to the physicians and pharmacists only a few drugs like paracetamol, ranitidine, metronidazole, omeprazole ORS saline, diaclofenac sodium, and aspirin are supposed to be sold as the OTC drugs. But the unscrupulous drug sellers sell almost 90% of the stocked drugs without prescription. Even the sedatives are also being traded like fast food in Bangladesh. According to the 1982 Drug Ordinance, The pharmaceutical industry is monitored and guided by the government under the ministry of health. Under the ministry of health the director of Drugs Administration supervises various key tasks ranging from the manufacture to the marketing of the drugs. The present study is an attempt to explore the issues related to OTC drugs with strong focus on the identification of the factors that affect the choice and s